Middle-Class Americans Were Asked How Much They Spend On Vacations Each Year. ‘Besides Rent, Traveling Is Probably Our Biggest Expense’
- Personal Finance
ThePostMaster- 0
- 7 minutes read
How much do middle-class Americans spend on vacations each year?
That simple question sparked a big discussion on the r/MiddleClassFinance subreddit, with hundreds of people weighing in on what they actually spend, not what travel ads or Instagram make it seem like they spend.
The answers ranged from zero dollars to well over $20,000 a year, depending on income, kids, debt, geography, and how much people value travel compared to everything else pulling on their budget.
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A Wide Gap Between Zero And Five Figures
One of the most upvoted comments cut straight to the trade-off many households said they are making: “Besides rent, traveling is probably our biggest expense.” The line landed because it captured how vacations are no longer an occasional splurge for some families, but a recurring cost they actively plan around.
That commenter said their household spends about $10,000 a year on travel, spread across multiple trips, including international travel.
But for every household spending five figures, there were plenty spending far less or even nothing at all.
“I haven’t been on a vacation in almost 10 years,” one person commented. Another said their last vacation was seven years ago, explaining that limited paid time off and medical appointments often consume what little time off they do get.
For many families, especially those with kids, even modest travel feels expensive. As one parent put it, “It’s so freaking expensive to travel with a family of five.” Another added that just booking flights can run “two to three grand” before hotels, food, or activities are even considered.
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$5K Seems To Be The Sweet Spot
Across the thread, one number kept coming up again and again: about $5,000 a year.
For a lot of families, that usually means one main trip. Most said they drive instead of fly, split a cabin or Airbnb with family, or stay with relatives. Cooking most meals instead of eating out is a big part of keeping the trip affordable.
One commenter said their family typically does one or two vacations a year, usually splitting a house or cabin with family for four to eight days, estimating the total cost at about $1,000 for four people. Another said, “Average is probably around $5,000 as well. There has been $3,000 years too. Over 10 years, $5,000 sounds like a realistic average.”
Several people said that vacation spending is often the first thing to get cut when finances tighten.
On the other hand, child-free couples often reported higher spending. Some said they take multiple international trips a year by traveling cheaply and avoiding resorts. “Honestly, when I see what people pay to stay at a resort for a week I understand why they can only take a trip every one or two years,” one commenter explained. “I can’t bring myself to spend $10k on a single trip knowing I could make three or four trips out of it.”
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Income alone also doesn’t tell the full story. One person said they make $175,000 with no kids but still struggle to justify vacations due to student loans and a mortgage. That sparked pushback from others, with replies like, “If you can’t take a vacation when you’re making $175k with no kids, you’re doing something wrong.” Others pointed out that high housing costs and debt can quickly eat up even strong incomes.
What’s obvious is that vacation spending has become a pressure point. For some, it’s a reward for years of hard work. For others, it’s an unaffordable luxury. And for many, it’s a constant negotiation between wanting memories and needing financial security.
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Image: Shutterstock
